Seattle’s 20 best sandwiches

Sometimes you just want to eat with your hands. Luckily, Seattle has a cornucopia of sandwiches, from subs and grinders to banh mis and gyros. Here’s our pick for Seattle’s 20 best sandwiches, compiled with some help from our readers. Do you agree with this list? Did we miss your favorite?

Photo: DAN DELONG / Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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<p>A look at Seattle's best sandwiches. </p>
<strong>Seattle Deli</strong>: Just a few bucks gets you a terrific Vietnamese <b>banh mi</b> on a fresh baguette, loaded with cilantro, jalapenos, pickled carrots and jicama. Choose pork, chicken or tofu, and wash it down with super-strong Vietnamese iced coffee. Banh mi fans also like Saigon Deli and Sub Sand in the ID. 1221 S. Main St. International District. less

<p>A look at Seattle's best sandwiches. </p>
<strong>Seattle Deli</strong>: Just a few bucks gets you a terrific Vietnamese <b>banh mi</b> on a fresh baguette, loaded with cilantro, jalapenos, pickled ... more

<strong>Tubs Gourmet Subs</strong>: Don't let its strip-mall location in Lake City fool you. Inside awaits toothsome subs adorned with garlic or honey-wasabi mayo and loads of fillings. Popular subs include ... more

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<b>Bongos</b>: If you miss Paseo's (and it seems like much of Seattle's northend does), try this Cuban and Caribbean cafe. Sandwich fans love "The Desi" (pork) and "Pollo Havana" (chicken). They come with citrus-braised meat, caramelized onions and pickled jalapenos on a toasted saba roll. 6501 Aurora Ave. N., Green Lake. less

<b>Bongos</b>: If you miss Paseo's (and it seems like much of Seattle's northend does), try this Cuban and Caribbean cafe. Sandwich fans love "The Desi" (pork) and "Pollo Havana" (chicken). They come with ... more

Photo: Google Street View

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<b>Delicatus</b>: This Pioneer Square specialty sandwich shop features every classic sandwich you can think. Popular orders: The Reuben and Pavo Diablo, which is smoked turkey, roasted poblanos and chipotle aioli on sourdough. 103 1st Ave. S. Photo: <a href="http://instagram.com/msolarpower"> msolarpower, Instagram</a>. less

<b>Delicatus</b>: This Pioneer Square specialty sandwich shop features every classic sandwich you can think. Popular orders: The Reuben and Pavo Diablo, which is smoked turkey, roasted poblanos and chipotle ... more

Photo: msolarpower, Instagram

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<strong>The Other Coast Cafe</strong>: When you're craving a heap of hand-held food, this place delivers. Favorites include the <b>Throwdown</b> (chicken, BBQ sauce and coleslaw) and the <b>Other Coaster</b> (pictured), a mound of turkey, Swiss cheese, cabbage and thousand island dressing. 5315 Ballard Ave. NW (Ballard); 721 E. Pike St. (Capitol Hill). less

<strong>The Other Coast Cafe</strong>: When you're craving a heap of hand-held food, this place delivers. Favorites include the <b>Throwdown</b> (chicken, BBQ sauce and coleslaw) and the <b>Other Coaster</b> ... more

Photo: P-I file

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<b>Salumi Artisan Cured Meats:</b> Seattle's holy temple of cured meats draws crowds who line up before the place even opens. But one bite of porchetta, sopressata, prosciutto or Salumi's famous meatballs, and all is forgotten. Sandwiches or plates (pictured) are all popular. 309 Third Ave. S., Pioneer Square. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/eekim/"> Eugene Kim, Flickr</a>. less

<b>Salumi Artisan Cured Meats:</b> Seattle's holy temple of cured meats draws crowds who line up before the place even opens. But one bite of porchetta, sopressata, prosciutto or Salumi's famous meatballs, and ... more

Photo: Eugene Kim, Flickr

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<p><b>Pam's Kitchen:</b> After years in the U District, this Caribbean restaurant has opened a lunch place in South Lake Union, where the "coconut fried bake sandwich" with jerk chicken is a hit. So's the geera pork sandwich. At 609 Eastlake Ave NE. </p><p>Original location - at 5000 University Way NE - still serves dinner and is expected to remain open for a few more months. (The building is slated for demolition, says Pam's Kitchen). Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/russ3ll/">+Russ, Flickr</a>. </p> less

<p><b>Pam's Kitchen:</b> After years in the U District, this Caribbean restaurant has opened a lunch place in South Lake Union, where the "coconut fried bake sandwich" with jerk chicken is a hit. So's the ... more

Photo: +Russ, Flickr

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<strong>Market House Meats</strong>: If you've never been to this place, founded in 1948, surely you've seen the giant "CORNED BEEF" sign in the Denny Regrade. Inside is a bare-bones place more about selling meat to restaurants than making sandwiches for walk-in customers. But they'll make you a monster <b>Reuben</b> when you need a fix. 1124 Howell St. less

<strong>Market House Meats</strong>: If you've never been to this place, founded in 1948, surely you've seen the giant "CORNED BEEF" sign in the Denny Regrade. Inside is a bare-bones place more about selling ... more

<strong>Tat's Delicatessen</strong>: When East Coasters complain about Seattle's lack of authentic hoagies and cheese steaks, they usually shut up at Tat's, where the wait can be so long that there's a <a href="http://www.tatsdeli.com/linecam.asp">"line cam"</a> to watch. Don't miss the <b>Tat’strami</b>, pictured, stuffed with pastrami, cole slaw, melted Swiss and Russian dressing. 159 Yesler, Pioneer Square. less

<strong>Tat's Delicatessen</strong>: When East Coasters complain about Seattle's lack of authentic hoagies and cheese steaks, they usually shut up at Tat's, where the wait can be so long that there's a <a ... more

Photo: Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com

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<b>Westward</b>, a darling in the foodie Bon Appetit world, may be known for sparkling oysters and octopus with garbanzos, but it's not above serving sandwiches. Especially good: The fried oyster roll, with fried pickles and remoulade. 2501 N. Northlake Way, Wallingford. (Photo: <a href="http://instagram.com/shannonmelissalin">shannonmelissalin, Instagram</a>. less

<b>Westward</b>, a darling in the foodie Bon Appetit world, may be known for sparkling oysters and octopus with garbanzos, but it's not above serving sandwiches. Especially good: The fried oyster roll, with ... more

Photo: shannonmelissalin, Instagram

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<b>Serious Biscuit:</b> You might want to use a fork to eat the biscuit sandwiches at this Tom Douglas restaurant. "The Zach" is a high-rise of fried chicken between gravy-smothered biscuits; the catfish and chile relleno, pictured, are almost as rich. At 401 Westlake Ave North, South Lake Union. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/allthingschill/">John Herschell, Flickr</a>. less

<b>Serious Biscuit:</b> You might want to use a fork to eat the biscuit sandwiches at this Tom Douglas restaurant. "The Zach" is a high-rise of fried chicken between gravy-smothered biscuits; the catfish and ... more

<strong>The Honey Hole</strong>: This casual space has good beer, many hipsters and tasty sandwiches, made with quality meat, veggies, fixins and bread. Pictured is the <b>Waverider</b>, a beast of a sandwich ... more

<b>Chippy's:</b> Ethan Stowell's take on traditional fish and chips serves high-end fried fish and really popular seafood sandwiches. The Dungeness crab roll comes with lemon aioli and avocado; the fried ... more

Photo: Google Street View

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<b>Matt's in the Market:</b> Sandwiches make up a big part of the lunch menu at this beloved Pike Place Market restaurant. Hits include: the "Fishwich" steelhead on brioche, the cornmeal-encrusted catfish on potato bread, and the lamb burger with onion jam and brioche, pictured. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/">Jessica Spengler, Flickr</a>. less

<b>Matt's in the Market:</b> Sandwiches make up a big part of the lunch menu at this beloved Pike Place Market restaurant. Hits include: the "Fishwich" steelhead on brioche, the cornmeal-encrusted catfish on ... more

Photo: Jessica Spengler, Flickr

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<strong>Café Presse</strong> is a cozy French cafe/bar, where the croque monsieur is fantastic. It's the classic Gallic grilled sandwich of baked ham, Gruyere and bechamel. The <b>croque madame</b> (pictured) - the same thing with an egg sunny side up - is even better. 1117 12th Ave. (Capitol Hill). less

<strong>Café Presse</strong> is a cozy French cafe/bar, where the croque monsieur is fantastic. It's the classic Gallic grilled sandwich of baked ham, Gruyere and bechamel. The <b>croque madame</b> (pictured) ... more

Photo: Meryl Schenker / Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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<b>Pig Iron Bar-B-Q</b>: You first notice the phenomenal smell here, like a backyard grill or a home-cooked meal. The <b>smoked pulled pork</b> is popular, but the smoked turkey and barbecue catfish are tasty, too. The pork, pictured, comes with caramelized onions, and you can add hot links. 5602 First Ave. S. (Photo: Casey McNerthney/seattlepi.com). less

<b>Pig Iron Bar-B-Q</b>: You first notice the phenomenal smell here, like a backyard grill or a home-cooked meal. The <b>smoked pulled pork</b> is popular, but the smoked turkey and barbecue catfish are tasty, ... more

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<strong>Bakeman's</strong>: This busy, no-frills lunch spot is your answer to trendy food. You'll find good sandwiches, a fast-moving line, and sandwich workers hurrying people along with their own brand of charm. The oven-roasted <b>turkey sandwich</b> is popular; add cranberry sauce for few cents. 122 Cherry St., downtown Seattle. less

<strong>Bakeman's</strong>: This busy, no-frills lunch spot is your answer to trendy food. You'll find good sandwiches, a fast-moving line, and sandwich workers hurrying people along with their own brand of ... more

Photo: Dan DeLong / Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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<b>Marination:</b> Craving kalua pork sliders? Spam sliders? Spicy pork-and-guac tortas (pictured)? Look no further than this Hawaiian-Korean kingdom of food trucks and restaurants. Not all outlets have the same food, but all sandwiches have tasty bread, meat and slaw. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/viriyincy/">Oran Viriyincy, Flickr</a> less

<b>Marination:</b> Craving kalua pork sliders? Spam sliders? Spicy pork-and-guac tortas (pictured)? Look no further than this Hawaiian-Korean kingdom of food trucks and restaurants. Not all outlets have the ... more

Photo: Oran Viriyincy, Flickr

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<b>Georgetown Liquor Company</b>: Vegetarians, we didn't forget you. This quirky place with old-school video games does vegan sandwiches that carnivores like. Sandwiches have sci-fi names, with the <b>Picard</b> as a popular order. It's lentil-sage Field Roast on ciabatta, with roasted onions, fresh mozzarella and vegan au jus. 5501 B Airport Way S., Georgetown. less

<b>Georgetown Liquor Company</b>: Vegetarians, we didn't forget you. This quirky place with old-school video games does vegan sandwiches that carnivores like. Sandwiches have sci-fi names, with the ... more

Photo: Google Street View

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<b>Mr. Gyros</b> features friendly service, good prices and yummy gyros. Don't be dissuaded by the line; it moves quickly. Falafels and fries with feta are good too. In Greenwood and Ballard. Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/75877485@N07/">Micah in China, Flickr</a>. less

<b>Mr. Gyros</b> features friendly service, good prices and yummy gyros. Don't be dissuaded by the line; it moves quickly. Falafels and fries with feta are good too. In Greenwood and Ballard. Photo: <a ... more

<strong>Baguette Box</strong>: Prices are higher here than your average sub or banh mi shop, but that's thanks to quality ingredients. Try the <b>Crispy Drunken Chicken</b> (pictured), with cilantro and ... more

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<strong>Seattle Fish Company</strong>: You could go to Ivar's or Pike Place Market when you want a fish sandwich. Or you could come to this West Seattle fish market and get yourself a tasty <b>salmon or halibut sandwich</b>. At 4435 California Ave. SW., West Seattle. Photo: Ginny and Phoebe Sunde/special to seattlepi.com. less

<strong>Seattle Fish Company</strong>: You could go to Ivar's or Pike Place Market when you want a fish sandwich. Or you could come to this West Seattle fish market and get yourself a tasty <b>salmon or ... more

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Seattle's 20 best sandwiches

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This is part of an ongoing series about food in Seattle. Previous posts include: